HiTek coating failure?

[Shak3s1977]

Took out my Ruger Alaskan today and my dad's GP100 in 44 special. I was shooting Hitek coated bullets from a certain manufacturer and was getting massive leading in both guns with different loadings. Loads were

44 special, 240gr Hitek bullet, Accurate #5 7.0 gr

44 special 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 6.5gr

44 special 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 7.0gr

44 magnum, 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 7.0gr

44 magnum, 240gr Hitek bullet, Accurate #9 18.5gr

This pic is after 2 cylinders (10 rounds) in the Gp100 with 6.5gr of Unique.


This picture is after 2 cylinders ( 12 rounds) in the Alaskan 44 magnum with 7.0gr of Unique.


I was able to shoot some of my hotter #9 loads in the Alaskan with my home casted and powdercoated bullets afterwards. That seemed to get alot of it out, but I'll have to get the chore boy out for the rest and for my dad's GP100.

Anyone have similar problems with Hi-Tek coated bullets?

 

[Random 8]

Yes, I got a bad batch of .41s from MBC. Leading with medium to light loads. The coating was brittle. It would flake off when hit with a hammer. They knew about the defect on that batch, as they had gotten other complaints. They gladly replaced them with traditional lubed bullets at no cost, and let me keep the old ones to melt down into fishing lead.

 

[Bearded Phil]

Only time I've had that happen to me was with 13 BHN bullets, I was pushing them too fast.

Do you size your homemade to the same diameter as these that you bought? Could be that they were maybe undersized and mislabeled by the maker.

 

[jag22]

Is Hitek an actual brand name or generic term for a coating? I use in 38 special and haven’t noticed any problem.

 

[GaryL]

That looks like burnt plastic to me. But you'll know exactly what it is after cleaning it.

All my Hi-Tek loads are under 1200 ft/s, and I haven't had any issues with them (yet). Sorry, can't help.

Edit - After going back and looking up some data, those loads look very soft, like below minimums for 44 mag. But top of 44 special. So not that fast.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I had issues with titegroup causing lead build up with hi-tek coated.

 

[LiveLife]

Is Hitek an actual brand name or generic term for a coating?

"Hi-Tek" is a brand name of an Australian company.

 

[Jim Watson]

Is Hitek an actual brand name or generic term for a coating? I use in 38 special and haven’t noticed any problem.

Hi Tek is a specific brand of bullet coating, made in Australia, originally imported here by Bayou Bullets. I don't know if anybody else is bringing it in or if it is all distributed in the US by Bayou.

There are others, Precision Bullets in Texas has their own coating and were applying it before Hi Tek showed up.
Blue Bullets mix their own, too.
I have used Bull-X*, Bear Creek, Ranger**, early BBI, and Ibejihead bullets with proprietary coatings.
*Out of business.
**Acquired by BBI who now uses Hi Tek. And a good thing, too; the only coated bullets I have ever had to foul a barrel like that were some early production 9mm BBIs, using the coating originally devised by Ranger. Ranger and Ranger type BBI bullets did fine at lower velocity in .38 and .45.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That looks like burnt plastic to me.

I was thinking the same thing. See what a swab loaded with MEK or acetone does to it. If it's lead, it'll by shiny, clean lead deposits but if it's plastic, it'll dissolve.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hi Tek is a specific brand of bullet coating, made in Australia, originally imported here by Bayou Bullets. I don't know if anybody else is bringing it in or if it is all distributed in the US by Bayou.

There are others, Precision Bullets in Texas has their own coating and were applying it before Hi Tek showed up.
Blue Bullets mix their own, too.
I have used Bull-X*, Bear Creek, Ranger**, early BBI, and Ibejihead bullets with proprietary coatings.
*Out of business.
**Acquired by BBI who now uses Hi Tek. And a good thing, too; the only coated bullets I have ever had to foul a barrel like that were some early production 9mm BBIs, using the coating originally devised by Ranger. Ranger and Ranger type BBI bullets did fine at lower velocity in .38 and .45.

Early Bull-X "moly-coat" using Carter Jones' eye towards quality were legitimate high velocity bullets for .357, .44, and .45. The post-99 production fell off the wagon and by the time they closed - 04/05? I think - they were leading barrels real bad. C.S. Jones was an early proponent of coated bullets.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Only time I've had that happen to me was with 13 BHN bullets, I was pushing them too fast.

Do you size your homemade to the same diameter as these that you bought? Could be that they were maybe undersized and mislabeled by the maker.

Both mine and theirs are sized at .430 as measured with my dial calipers.

Is Hitek an actual brand name or generic term for a coating? I use in 38 special and haven’t noticed any problem.

It is a brand name.

That looks like burnt plastic to me. But you'll know exactly what it is after cleaning it.

All my Hi-Tek loads are under 1200 ft/s, and I haven't had any issues with them (yet). Sorry, can't help.

Edit - After going back and looking up some data, those loads look very soft, like below minimums for 44 mag. But top of 44 special. So not that fast.

Yes they are exactly that. Soft 44 magnums and warmer 44 specials. It doesn't bring out silver chunks like lead when cleaning, but takes a brush wrapped in choreboy to get it out.

I had issues with titegroup causing lead build up with hi-tek coated.

My first problem with Hitek smearing/leading was with Accurate 5744 and my 45-70. I found a chart, supposedly from Quickload, that showed 5744 to be the hottest temperature powder so I figured that was the problem. I switched to IMR 4198 in my 45-70 loads and it went away, so who knows.

I was thinking the same thing. See what a swab loaded with MEK or acetone does to it. If it's lead, it'll by shiny, clean lead deposits but if it's plastic, it'll dissolve.

I have acetone in the garage. No problem hurting the gun? If not, I'll try it and see what comes out.

 

[Shak3s1977]

I did email the manufacturer and included some pics. Hopefully they have a idea. Otherwise I guess I'll be tossing the rest in my pot and melting them down.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I had no problems with Bullseye or Red dot. And it's hotter than titegroup. I cant figure that one out.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Took out my Ruger Alaskan today and my dad's GP100 in 44 special. I was shooting Hitek coated bullets from a certain manufacturer and was getting massive leading in both guns with different loadings. Loads were

44 special, 240gr Hitek bullet, Accurate #5 7.0 gr

44 special 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 6.5gr

44 special 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 7.0gr

44 magnum, 240gr Hitek bullet, Unique 7.0gr

44 magnum, 240gr Hitek bullet, Accurate #9 18.5gr

This pic is after 2 cylinders (10 rounds) in the Gp100 with 6.5gr of Unique.
View attachment 1072646

This picture is after 2 cylinders ( 12 rounds) in the Alaskan 44 magnum with 7.0gr of Unique.
View attachment 1072647

I was able to shoot some of my hotter #9 loads in the Alaskan with my home casted and powdercoated bullets afterwards. That seemed to get alot of it out, but I'll have to get the chore boy out for the rest and for my dad's GP100.

Anyone have similar problems with Hi-Tek coated bullets?

The only time I had that issue was with a rough bore that was copper fouled. I can switch between hitec and cast. But not jacketed. This probably isn't your issue.

 

[Shak3s1977]

I had no problems with Bullseye or Red dot. And it's hotter than titegroup. I cant figure that one out.

I remember reading about double based powders and single based powders. I wonder if that has something to do with it.

Just a all around bad day at the range today. Besides the leading, the trigger on that Alaskan is randomly locking up also. And it started hailing in the middle of shooting. Sometimes you just can't win lol.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have acetone in the garage. No problem hurting the gun? If not, I'll try it and see what comes out.

Yes, you can't hurt steel with either acetone or MEK. Those are both common solvents used to clean oil and lacquer off of production steel.

 

[nevadabob]

My recently purchased Hi-Tek coated 9's from various manufacturers have started leading my barrels. My remedy is to shoot some copper plated or jacketed bullets at the end of the range session. But I may be ditching the Hi-Tek bullets in favor of plated or fmj's. My recent range session with only RMR's 135 fmj's have me thinking in that direction.

 

[Rule3]

Easy enough to test.

Take a bullet and smash it with a hammer. Does it flake off? Squeeze it in a vise, doe it crack?

Touch bullet with the flame from a propane torch, does it dissolve instantly?

 

[kcofohio]

Hi Tek is a specific brand of bullet coating, made in Australia, originally imported here by Bayou Bullets. I don't know if anybody else is bringing it in or if it is all distributed in the US by Bayou.

There are others, Precision Bullets in Texas has their own coating and were applying it before Hi Tek showed up.
Blue Bullets mix their own, too.
I have used Bull-X*, Bear Creek, Ranger**, early BBI, and Ibejihead bullets with proprietary coatings.
*Out of business.
**Acquired by BBI who now uses Hi Tek. And a good thing, too; the only coated bullets I have ever had to foul a barrel like that were some early production 9mm BBIs, using the coating originally devised by Ranger. Ranger and Ranger type BBI bullets did fine at lower velocity in .38 and .45.

Here is where I purchased some Hi-Tek coating at.
https://hi-performancebulletcoatings.com

 

[Jim Watson]

I see that Bayou no longer lists coatings for sale. Maybe they divested the coatings to Hi Performance. Maybe it is just a paper differentiation.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Well the manufacturer got back to me. They told me to soak a rag in acetone and try to wipe of the coating. A little came off, but not alot like they said might happen if it wasnt baked. I assume these got baked fine.

They told me to try the smash test. I saw no major flaking, so I assume they are good there also.

I tried the torch. The coating didn't melt off right away so I assume it's good.

I guess I'll melt them down and cast my own since mine don't give me any problems. If anyone shoots 44 specials or magnums and would be willing to try some and see what they come up with, I will gladly ship some off to try.

 

[Obturation]

I haven't had any issues with hi tek coated at all. Even up near 2000 fps it seems to leave no residue or lead. Somethings off, not sure what.
The single/double based powder thing has to do with the nitro as I understand it. Couldn't get a straight answer on it so I put some hi tek coated bullets in some baggies with various powders to see if there would be any reaction. That was over a year ago, no reaction at all yet.
If any color comes off those bullets when wiped with acetone they aren't fully cured. There shouldn't be anything coming off when wiped.

 

[Shak3s1977]

I haven't had any issues with hi tek coated at all. Even up near 2000 fps it seems to leave no residue or lead. Somethings off, not sure what.
The single/double based powder thing has to do with the nitro as I understand it. Couldn't get a straight answer on it so I put some hi tek coated bullets in some baggies with various powders to see if there would be any reaction. That was over a year ago, no reaction at all yet.
If any color comes off those bullets when wiped with acetone they aren't fully cured. There shouldn't be anything coming off when wiped.

By chance do you load for 44? If so, PM me and I'll send off 100 and I'd love to see what you come up with. This is the second time I've had problems, in 2 different calibers, from this company. I guess I won't be ordering any more from them.

 

[jmorris]

I did email the manufacturer and included some pics. Hopefully they have a idea. Otherwise I guess I'll be tossing the rest in my pot and melting them down.

If the coating is on there correctly, you should scrape it off or poke a hole in at least in one spot or you will have a bunch of sacks full of molten lead in your pot.



As above the smash test is telling. If you give it a good wack and it just gets a lighter shade in color because it’s stretched out, you are likely in good shape. If there is exposed lead after the impact, at least it’s ready for the melting pot.



You can get the full story, if you recover fired bullets gently. I use water.



I had looked for years for a good product and David (Precision) was very tight lipped about his coating. When Donnie (Bayou) started distributing Hi-Tek-Lube I tried it out, did everything I was wanting so I stocked up.

One can of the product, catalyst and acetone can coat ~10,000 bullets. Fewer 500 grain ones but more of the 124’s.



I am pretty sure they have a dry formula but I have never tried it. Not sure I’ll live long enough to use up what I have now.

 

[Kaldor]

Ive shot a metric ton of Acme 147 HiTeks w/ TiteGroup and and have never seen that. Also played about with some 115s w/ CFE-P at 1550 FPS from my AR9 and didnt have that issue. Gotta be a bad batch.